Musical Theatre Coach Reacts (BOOK OF MORMON) 'I Believe'

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In this video Marc Daniel Patrick discusses the incredible performance from Andrew Rannells at the 2011 Tony Awards. The Book Of Mormon, "I Believe".

[kitwhitfield]

I’d say that slightly squeezed ‘E’ in ‘believe’ is part of the comic performance; it adds to the feeling of the character being dorkier than he realises.

[ScrappyCruiserNR]

Andrew Rannels should have won the Tony for that performance.

[chaoticwhenever]

Say what you want about Andrew Rannells but that man can BELT!

[amityislandchum]

Andrew has talked about how he got nervous and his mouth went dry during this Tonys performance. He still sounds AMAZING here, of course, but there are a few bootleg recordings of his actual Broadway performances that are *even better, * if you can believe it!

[elorising]

Andrew's tongue during this whole performance:
Well hello there.

[JennuYasha]

I personally interpreted Andrew Rannells' turn to the audience as him being surprised that the people in the camp responded so negatively to what he said. Kind of 'What? What did I say?', and looking for reassurance from the audience, not that he was responding to the audience. (I have no musical theatre experience, I just have watched this performance several times a year since it was uploaded to YouTube because I love it).

[BlazeDupree]

As a ex mormon I always find this musical hilarious. I feel like it's way funnier when you actually know what it's like on the inside. Lol

[kimberlymichelle]

Okay I'm a Mormon and I find this musical hysterical. People have way to thin skin these days. Seriously after seeing this I investigated the church. Andrew is awesome. I love his Elder Price.

[DoctorZisIN]

Context here helps. Elder Price is actually starting to have doubts that God exists. This whole number is the swan song of the last remnants of his faith. He's actually trying to convince himself, not really expressing unwavering faith, hence the brief hesitation moments, and looking at the audience as if one side of his brain is saying "I believe and the other side replying: "Can you believe the bullshit that's coming out of my mouth?" As you said, many layers to this performance.

[chelliekot]

It sure is not for everyone! A lot of people find it offensive, but it’s really funny! My favorite songs from this show are You and Me but Mostly Me, Turn It Off, I Believe and Baptize Me! Josh Gahd and Andrew Rennels are gold together.

[ellie-ymzo]

My favourite thing about book of Mormon is that the Mormon church used it to promote their religion. Such great sports!! Great vid as always man

[tristanbowman]

Wife and I saw the original cast in Broadway preview a few days before the official opening. Andrew was so great. I love this Tony performance because when he first comes out you can tell he was crying because Nikki James won her Tony right before he walked out. And he still pulled off his performance.

[ampersandcastle]

Andrew is like my favourite person ever lol, Falsettos is my favourite musical and bom is so good too

[JayVBear]

There are MANY forms of comedy and satire can be played either "straight" (any Charles Ludlam or Samuel Beckett) or tongue-in-cheek (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum/The Producers) or naively farcical (Tartuffe or any other Moliere) but a-wink-and-a-nod at the audience is a very Matt Stone/Trey Parker way of doing their particular brand of comedy.

[stephennelson]

As an ex-Mormon, the stylistic choices were all on point. As to playing the comedy straight, the cast has said Salt Lake City is their favorite place to perform because they can get away with playing it straight unlike anywhere else.

[trixieout]

Would you ever do a reaction to NPH's 2013 Tony opening? It was truly legendary.

[cowwoman]

As a "Mormon" (a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) myself, I always have to giggle when I see/hear this song because I totally get how some parts of this religion have an almost comedic aspect to it... 🤣 So I thoroughly enjoyed this performamce!
Love how you took this apart and pointed out gems that we might have otherwise missed in this awesome performance 🤩

[farronroboff]

I saw BOM twice and I actually think it is a very sweet story. To me, it was about a bunch of innocent 20 year olds thrown into a strange new world and having to figure out new truths on their own.

[graceleigh_x]

Andrew Rannells is my absolute favourite, he’s so good in everything 💓🙌🏼

[robertofont]

So glad you you critiqued this. Saw this years ago and fell in love with the irreverence. The audience was held captive and the laughter was almost immediate...at least it was for me.
This, Starlight Express and Sunset Boulevard with Patti Lupone (saw it in London) are some of my favorites. Thank you Marc!